Holding onto His Hand

I'm sure I've said before that this adoption journey is full of unknowns. This week, however, the unknowns seem to be growing, and it's hard to keep things in perspective at times. Tonight I found a devotional written by Adrian Rogers on Psalm 23. In it he says, "that nothing will bring you more face to face with God than going through the dark valleys of life. When you are there, you are going to cling to his garments and hold onto His hand." I am not comparing our adoption journey to a dark valley, but it is a time when there are more unknowns than I can sometimes count and the sheer amount of money/paperwork required is overwhelming. God is using this situation to bring me and Jeremy face to face with Him. I am doing my best to cling to his garments and hold onto His hand.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and staff comfort me." Psalm 23:1-4

Doctors Still Make House Calls

A part of the home study is to make sure your pets have a clean bill of health, so Saturday found us receiving a house call from Dr. Bartolotto and her three amazing assistants. They worked really hard and did an amazing job, so now our animals are ready to receive their human baby playmate :0). Jeremy and I are continually amazed by the support, assistance, and prayers that we are being offered during this process. We have much to be thankful for, and a generous doctor that made a house call for us is added to the list.

If your furry friends are ever in need of medical assistance, go see Dr. B--she will take good care of them.
Blessings everyone!

time to hear from Jeremy...

Well I figured I would make a post. Sarah keeps this up most the time. As we get close to Christmas and you think about everyone getting together with family, gifts, food, and good times. We all look forward to this time of year. It is a happy time for most. I know Sarah and I are looking forward to going back home to Louisiana and seeing family, open gifts, and just spend time there. But what about the many orphans around the world who on Christmas morning will wake up in an orphanage somewhere and there be no gifts, no exciting laughter, and most of all no family. In the past I have been like many people and not put to much thought into the orphans and widows until the past few years. Since Sarah and I are well on our way to adopting, this Christmas will be special for me. We don't have our child yet, but for the first time as I open gifts and gather around a table I will be thinking of something other than the people gathered with me. My mind will be on the tons of children who will not have much to look forward to this Christmas.

I want to encourage you to be thankful for the many blessings that you have received this year, just as Sarah and I will. And before you open the last gift, unplug the Christmas tree for the year, take a moment. Think about the children who dream and pray for a loving family. And if you will join Sarah and I this Christmas as we pray for those children that next year they find themselves gathered around table with a family so full of love. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Check the 4th home study visit off the list!

This past Wednesday we had our final home study visit. To finish up the actual process though, we need to turn in a small mountain of paperwork. Thanks again for all your prayers and support! I'm off to scale paperwork mountain!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Giving Thanks

This year I gained a few more things to be thankful for...
~I am thankful for this call that God has put on our hearts and what it means for the future.
~I am thankful for our family and friends that are supporting us and cheering us on as we navigate this adoption process.
~I am thankful for Stephanie, our wonderful social worker, who is a voice of wisdom and reason.
~I am thankful for all the ways that God has provided and for all the ways that he is going to provide.
~I am thankful for the sweet baby that is in my heart; I can't wait to meet her!

"O, Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." Shakespeare

Hearts that are Captured by a Higher Calling

On Veteran's Day, I was in Chicago for a conference. As we walked downtown, I saw a group of soldiers walking and smiled to myself as someone called out a "thank you" to them, and everyone started cheering. It is amazing to me that these soldiers are aware of the thousands before them that paid for our freedom with their lives, yet they still enlist to serve their country. They are giving all they have for a cause greater than themselves; their hearts are captured by a higher calling.


Tomorrow is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. In countries around the world, believers face violence, imprisonment, and death because of their faith. Yet, they still believe. They do not wait for conditions in their countries to improve for them to serve the Lord; their hearts are captured by a higher calling.

"O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as thou wilt, and when and where..." -Frances Havergal

Orphan Sunday

The first Sunday in November is Orphan Sunday.  There are an estimated 147 million orphans worldwide.  If you're like me, that number is hard to wrap your mind around, but we can't let that number discourage us from being the hands and feet of Jesus.  Let's keep our hearts open to opportunities for us to show God's love to a child in need.

"Seek justice; encourage the oppressed; defend the cause of the fatherless; plead the cause of the widow."
Isaiah 1:17